Wizz Air UK managing director Yvonne Moynihan has warned that passengers will be hit with higher luggage fees if new EU hand luggage legislation is implemented
Wizz Air has launched seven new routes, including to a little-known region filled with natural beauty.
As of last month, Wizz Air is flying four times a week from Gatwick to Wroclaw in Poland. It will be flying from the same London airport to Warsaw in Poland and Medina in Saudi Arabia from the beginning of August.
Over in the West Midlands, Birmingham is now linked up with Rome three times a week as of June, with new flights to Sibiu and Suceava in Romania later this year.
When it comes to the Suceava route, the budget carrier will operate flights three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with fares starting from £17.99.
Corporate communications manager at Wizz Air Olivia Harangozó said: “We are delighted to be adding Suceava to our route network from Birmingham. The city and surrounding region offer incredible natural beauty and historical significance, making it an ideal destination for travellers hoping to discover somewhere off the beaten track.”
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This week the recently appointed head of Wizz Air UK, Yvonne Moynihan, conceded that the airline would have to raise luggage fees in response to a potential new European Union regulation. In an interview with the Mirror, Moynihan outlined how Wizz Air UK might adapt to new hand luggage rules.
While the regulation is still pending, it could force budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air to abandon steep additional fees for secondary cabin bags.
The decisive element for budget airline passengers lies in the EU’s Transport and Tourism Committee’s stipulation: “Passengers should have a right to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop (maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm), and one small hand luggage (maximum dimensions of 100 cm and 7 kg) without an additional fee.”
In practical terms, it means that budget airlines could no longer demand high fees for a supplementary cabin bag. Despite the UK’s exit from the EU, the new directives would still influence UK travellers as EU-headquartered airlines, such as Wizz Air, fall within their scope
Airline executives have spoken out against the proposal, fearing it will lead to pricier tickets or additional baggage fees in order to compensate for lost revenue.
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“We highly object, along with the other airlines. It essentially erodes consumer choice,” voiced Ms Moynihan regarding the decision. The head of the fledgeling budget carrier drew parallels to Ourania Georgoutsakou’s critique, the managing director of Airlines For Europe, who said that the policy is akin to “going to the cinema and being forced to have Coke and popcorn with your ticket.”
Ms Moynihan anticipates the EU legislation will be diluted before passing into law but warned that carriers like Wizz Air may ultimately raise their luggage charges to makeup for decreased profits. At present, ancillary services such as seat selection and baggage fees contribute nearly half of Wizz Air’s revenues.